I think you’re onto something. Both major parties in the US are confused and confusing. We have no idea what they stand for at core. I’m not talking policies they want to enact. I want to know why they want to enact them.
Or maybe they’re clear on their why’s and I’m the confused one.
Thank you for reading Nneka, and you're totally right - "I want to know why they want to enact them." There's a certain level of sacredness and soul-aligned ambition that's missing from political discourse. The UK Labour Party manifesto I quoted in my piece was published as a post-war manifesto. They were speaking and dreaming after a period where the meaning and importance of nourishing public life and community was vital after such a devastating historical period. Words are sacred if we treat them so. Both you and I know as writers that our thoughts become clearer when we write them out. To me, this seems critical to do in a political party manifesto as it is the starting point of how governance under a political party will be orchestrated into existence.
In the US there is also a lack of manifestos. I am liberal but I must say that the only serious manifesto is the conservative Project 2025, https://www.project2025.org/. In my view it is a backward way to look at the future, but it is nevertheless a manifesto, clearly stating its mission.
Thank you for reading Adrian! That’s interesting, I wasn’t aware of that. I think manifestos, when done well, is a futuristic way of looking at the future. But this depends on the intention and energy going into it. Do political parties approach them with an attitude of “We need to say X to win against the opposition, will it make us look good?” or do they approach it with an ambition of outlining what they really think is important to the collective, the bigger picture, “we want to do X because we seek to elevate human dignity” etc. It’s a totally different energy, and we pick up on that. Everything starts with a text - a religious document, a song, a business plan. The manifestos of yesteryear as highlighted in my text left a profound impact on the world. Yes, the logistics and tasks of government are huge today, but framing big thoughtful ideas in a manifesto focuses the mind and approach to governing.
I think you’re onto something. Both major parties in the US are confused and confusing. We have no idea what they stand for at core. I’m not talking policies they want to enact. I want to know why they want to enact them.
Or maybe they’re clear on their why’s and I’m the confused one.
Thank you for reading Nneka, and you're totally right - "I want to know why they want to enact them." There's a certain level of sacredness and soul-aligned ambition that's missing from political discourse. The UK Labour Party manifesto I quoted in my piece was published as a post-war manifesto. They were speaking and dreaming after a period where the meaning and importance of nourishing public life and community was vital after such a devastating historical period. Words are sacred if we treat them so. Both you and I know as writers that our thoughts become clearer when we write them out. To me, this seems critical to do in a political party manifesto as it is the starting point of how governance under a political party will be orchestrated into existence.
It’s definitely needed!
Are you doing this work? Do you know someone who is?
I ask because I have a close friend running for office.
Message me and we can talk :)
In the US there is also a lack of manifestos. I am liberal but I must say that the only serious manifesto is the conservative Project 2025, https://www.project2025.org/. In my view it is a backward way to look at the future, but it is nevertheless a manifesto, clearly stating its mission.
Thank you for reading Adrian! That’s interesting, I wasn’t aware of that. I think manifestos, when done well, is a futuristic way of looking at the future. But this depends on the intention and energy going into it. Do political parties approach them with an attitude of “We need to say X to win against the opposition, will it make us look good?” or do they approach it with an ambition of outlining what they really think is important to the collective, the bigger picture, “we want to do X because we seek to elevate human dignity” etc. It’s a totally different energy, and we pick up on that. Everything starts with a text - a religious document, a song, a business plan. The manifestos of yesteryear as highlighted in my text left a profound impact on the world. Yes, the logistics and tasks of government are huge today, but framing big thoughtful ideas in a manifesto focuses the mind and approach to governing.